PlymouthGeordie

Luke is a troll, but he was the first to report the Willock deal and first to confirm Choudry wasn't coming so regardless of the fact he is a wind up merchant of the highest order it is clear not everything he says is nonsense. I do agree though that he comes across as having the viewpoint the takeover has no chance when I don't see how that can be the case give arbitration etc. Means nowt. He's on good terms with Bruce so he could get stuff like that off him no problem. Off field matters such as the takeover are different altogether. Off field matters are different, but again, he was first to confirm issues with the deal in the summer and the first to confirm it had fallen through so unfortunately on two bits of really s*** news he was right. We can't just discredit his sources because he's a dick. Anyway, back to the confirmation we have have about Keith being "in direct contact" with those involved in the bid... He's probably the only reporter up here still on good terms with Bruce so for transfers and team news he could well have a direct source there. Considering he's been against Staveley and her Consortium from the start I very much doubt they are giving him any inside info. I don't think he's against them, I just think he took their confidence with a pinch of salt which is what Caulkin etc are now doing. If you look at the piece Caulkin did in the athletic recently, he even said the buyers confidence means nothing anymore as it has proven to be misplaced. Luke may not have sources with the buyer, he could have sources with the seller or PL. I just think he obviously has a contact somewhere within the deal as he was first to confirm it had collapsed. I know he's not popular on here and I know he revels in playing the villain. But looking at it objectively, he can't be discredited (Mauriss aside) just because we don't like him when he is proven to have accurately reported on the Saudi takeover at various stages. Keith on the other hand, was telling Kennedy and anyone that would listen that his case would be done and dusted within the courts with 5 months. We're now well past that deadline and he hasn't even followed up his LBA. I know he's a fan and on the one hand I admire his perseverance, but on the other hand, I don't understand why he doesn't get questioned on things he said would happen but didn't? Regarding your earlier comment that Keith's case has nothing to do with the club's case, I'm not sure how true that is. I won't pretend to be well versed on legal matters but it makes sense to me that two parties bringing legal cases against the PL over broadly the same issue would be in contact with each other. If Keith is to be believed, they're trying to get the deal done without arbiration, and if that doesn't happen he'll be pressing on with his case. Reading between the lines there, the implication seems to be that De Marco is orchestrating things and has asked Keith to hang fire for now. None of that seems unfeasible to me. I agree with your stance on Caulkin though. I don't see how he "got it wrong last time" either. He relayed the confidence coming from the buyers said and then it didn't happen. Yeah that is a fair enough position to take. Like you say, none of us know where the legal case stands, how strong it is, when it'll be heard etc so everything is up for debate. Keith isn't doing himself any favours today mind and my main grip is him and Liam Kennedy clearly jumped the gun with their "PL will be forced to open their books and if they don't it'll be sorted in court within 5 months" headlines they were shouting from the rooftops when NCSL first came on the scene. It is now clear that was never going to be the case. Like everyone, I'm desperate for the takeover to happen but I'm just trying to be pragmatic. I won't discredit Luke Edwards information just because it's bad news or I don't like him. Equally, it is clear that with arbitration and the Saudi/Qatar peace deal that there is a chance it could happen. For me, the most frustrating thing is we could be here in April/May and still be in the dark with everything.

Luke is a troll, but he was the first to report the Willock deal and first to confirm Choudry wasn't coming so regardless of the fact he is a wind up merchant of the highest order it is clear not everything he says is nonsense. I do agree though that he comes across as having the viewpoint the takeover has no chance when I don't see how that can be the case give arbitration etc. Means nowt. He's on good terms with Bruce so he could get stuff like that off him no problem. Off field matters such as the takeover are different altogether. Off field matters are different, but again, he was first to confirm issues with the deal in the summer and the first to confirm it had fallen through so unfortunately on two bits of really s*** news he was right. We can't just discredit his sources because he's a dick. Anyway, back to the confirmation we have have about Keith being "in direct contact" with those involved in the bid... He's probably the only reporter up here still on good terms with Bruce so for transfers and team news he could well have a direct source there. Considering he's been against Staveley and her Consortium from the start I very much doubt they are giving him any inside info. I don't think he's against them, I just think he took their confidence with a pinch of salt which is what Caulkin etc are now doing. If you look at the piece Caulkin did in the athletic recently, he even said the buyers confidence means nothing anymore as it has proven to be misplaced. Luke may not have sources with the buyer, he could have sources with the seller or PL. I just think he obviously has a contact somewhere within the deal as he was first to confirm it had collapsed. I know he's not popular on here and I know he revels in playing the villain. But looking at it objectively, he can't be discredited (Mauriss aside) just because we don't like him when he is proven to have accurately reported on the Saudi takeover at various stages. Keith on the other hand, was telling Kennedy and anyone that would listen that his case would be done and dusted within the courts with 5 months. We're now well past that deadline and he hasn't even followed up his LBA. I know he's a fan and on the one hand I admire his perseverance, but on the other hand, I don't understand why he doesn't get questioned on things he said would happen but didn't?

This is where I am to be honest. If arbitration goes our way then we'll get the takeover as PIF will be confirmed as separate to the state and therefore piracy is no longer an issue. Given arbitration can go either way in my mind the takeover is 50/50. Most annoying thing is not having a timeframe.

Luke is a troll, but he was the first to report the Willock deal and first to confirm Choudry wasn't coming so regardless of the fact he is a wind up merchant of the highest order it is clear not everything he says is nonsense. I do agree though that he comes across as having the viewpoint the takeover has no chance when I don't see how that can be the case give arbitration etc. Means nowt. He's on good terms with Bruce so he could get stuff like that off him no problem. Off field matters such as the takeover are different altogether. Off field matters are different, but again, he was first to confirm issues with the deal in the summer and the first to confirm it had fallen through so unfortunately on two bits of really shit news he was right. We can't just discredit his sources because he's a dick. Anyway, back to the confirmation we have have about Keith being "in direct contact" with those involved in the bid...

Luke is a troll, but he was the first to report the Willock deal and first to confirm Choudry wasn't coming so regardless of the fact he is a wind up merchant of the highest order it is clear not everything he says is nonsense. I do agree though that he comes across as having the viewpoint the takeover has no chance when I don't see how that can be the case give arbitration etc.

Caulkin got just about everything wrong regarding the takeover last year, which is why he's hardly mentioned it since. Whatever people think of Keith, he's in direct contact with people involved in the deal. I don't think he got everything wrong. He just repeated the buyer's confidence we after watching his Q&A last night he admits is wrong. It cannot be denied he has contacts within the buyers camp, he has literally had multiple sit down interviews with Staveley. What evidence is there (other than Keith's "word") that he is in direct contact with the people involved in the deal? I'm not having a pop btw, if there is evidence that he's in contact with them that I've not seen then I'd love to be pointed in the direction of it.

Whether people rate or even trust Caulkin or Edwards, to think Keith has better sources than either of them is just bizzare. Caulkin has been reporting on the club for over 20 years and on this particular story has had multiple sit downs with Staveley. As for Luke, as much as he is the most egotistical, patronising pr*ck going he was the first person to call out the takeover had hit a roadblock in the summer so he clearly has some good contacts on this story too. For someone who claims to not want the fanfare and attention, Keith certainly does his best to remain in the limelight with his constant tweeting and appearances on NUFC matters. Good luck to him with his own case and if that has an impact then fair play. I just fail to see how he has any inside information on the club's case as the two are completely separate of each other and Ashley isn't exactly going to want DeMarco sharing information with a fan who is drip feeding people "information".

The way they've named the line up ut suggests 541 rather than 433. Sigh.

If it's 433 with Hayden in midfield and a front 3 of Miggy, Fraser and Wilson I can get on board with that.

https://twitter.com/MoneyMikeAshley/status/1355144222148587521?s=19

Peterborough, Sunderland & PSV. 4/1

Spends all of his press conference saying he has no CB's and then picks a formation with 3 CB's. I am just so sick of him. That line up makes me want us to lose just to edge him closer to the door.

Would agree with it in principle, but Clark is injured (I think) and Schar has been too sloppy to play in a 2 man cb partnership. Much as I like him, he doesn't look like he wants to be out there. Yeah I get Clark is injured and ASM not fit enough to start at the moment. On that basis I'd bring in Murphy and Schar. I also agree Schar struggles in a 4, but we need Hayden's legs in midfield to get around the pitch. He's our only midfielder that actually puts his foot in. Either way, Hendrick and Shelvey should be real last resort stuff. Young Anderson should be in ahead of them given how bad they've both been (neither of them can run) and how encouraging his cameos have been when coming on as a sub.

When everyone is fit, our best formation is 4-2-3-1 and I say that because it is the one formation where our best players play in their best positions. So many times this season we've shoehorned players in to positions they can't play just to get them on the team sheet. GK - Dubravka RB - Yedlin CB - Lascelles CB - Clark LB - Lewis DM - Hayden DM - Matty/Sean RW - Fraser AM - Almiron LW - ASM CF - Wilson We should just stick with that and when someone is injured keep the same formation/game plan and replace like for like i.e. Manquillo for Yedlin, Murphy for ASM, Joelinton for Miggy etc. Changing formation every other game (along with sitting off, not pressing etc) is just destroying any chance of cohesion or fluidity. Why play 5 at the back at Villa when we only had two fit CB's? It makes no sense.

It is only one journalist tbf. His "updates" are becoming more vague and less optimistic. That said, until we here a definitive update regarding arbitration there is still hope (which is eroding with every passing game Bruce remains in charge).

Something is obviously playing out with arbitration but I do think Kennedy has gotten a bit excited at times and jumped the gun. No other journalist has shown any interest in following his reporting path on this story which makes me sceptical. His tweets tonight indicate any resolution is still some way off in my opinion. Very frustrating.

Mental Is it though? He's spent loads and it just isn't working. Much like Bruce, he should've been nowhere near the job in the first place. One failed promotion push would not have got anyone else within a mile of sn interview let alone land them the job.

Everton half time. Atletico full time. Double. £20 returns £50.

Can't even console myself with the thought that he'll be gone if we lose. Law of averages says we'll win at some point, hopefully this is the game.

Agreed. Bruce is just exacerbating the whole thing too. We are clueless under him, his pre and post match sound bites are awful to listen to and just highlight how out of touch and inept he is. Relegation this year will just finish the club off. There is no money to retain high earners in the championship unlike previous relegations and there is no way Ashley will fund us to a level where promotion is nailed on. For the life of me I don't understand how he still has a job. It really is takeover or bust. Interestingly, George Caulkin said last night that he expects arbitration to be sorted one way or the other by the end of February so at least that will help bring some clarity.

If anything, it frustratingly adds credence to the PL's concerns that he has ultimate control of the fund. If he didnt, why is he announcing their investment strategy?

Where's that come from? I hope that's true, it will be interesting if Lejuene turns up for training on monday morning Have a missed something on Lejeune, have we recalled him from his loan?

Hope this is true. But why "break" it once Rafa is available? Seems a bit convenient. Would've had more buy in if you'd mentioned it prior to Rafa resigning, surely?

As in the players have held meetings between themselves or the hierarchy have had meetings with the players?

No, he hasn’t said anything about the takeover lately What's this cash in the country 2.0 crap then? That was from months and months ago. Within a week or so of the deal "collapsing" if memory serves.